State Parks Lifeguard

Department of Parks and Recreation

12/15/2018

Special Service Award (Silver)

On the evening of December 15, 2018, State Parks Lifeguard Ean Miller was on duty near Pudding Creek Beach in Fort Bragg when he heard a call about two kayakers in distress near the town of Westport. He responded to the scene through rain and darkness and found one victim onshore suffering from hypothermia. The second victim was still in the water about 75 yards offshore. Lifeguard Miller entered the surging surf alone and in the dark. He had to contend with dangerous ocean conditions, including six and a half foot swells every 12 seconds, 15-knot winds, exposed rocks and breaking surf. Using his helmet flashlight, buoy, fins and rescue board, he made his way to the victim, who was face down in the water and brought her back to shore. Once onshore, Lifeguard Miller performed CPR on the victim until patient care was taken over by the paramedics and she was transported to Santa Rosa. She made a full recovery. The victim would have drowned if not for Lifeguard Miller’s life-saving actions. With no regard to his own safety, Lifeguard Miller went above and beyond the call of duty. The State of California takes great pride in presenting the Gold Medal of Valor to Department of Parks and Recreation State Parks Lifeguard Ean Miller.